Bracelet



June 5, 1928.

G. w. sTELTER BRACELET Filed OOt. 27, 1926 .fr "L Patented June 5, 1928'.

wUNITED lSTATES 1,613,007 PATENT oFFicE- GEORGE W. STELTER, OF NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, AASSIGNOR T0 L. E.

FREEMAN COMPANY, 0F NORTH ATTLEBORO; MASSACHUSETTS.v i

BRACELET.

Application meaoctobe 27, 1926. vserial no. 144,454.v

The present invention has relation to bracelet-s or the like and is particularly applicable Ato that class of bracelets which are composedv of a plurality of linked sections movable relatively to' each other so as to provide an expanding bracelet. Heretofore, bracelets of said type have been proposed Vin which each link section consists of an inner and an outer link, the inner link sliding within the outer link under control of' a spring and withinA suitable guides provided by the outer link. structed are united together to form a bracelet or chain of any required diameter or length.

. The present invention has for its object to provide an efficient article which will possess many advantages, one beingV the simplicity kof the construction whereby the cost of production is considerably lowered particularly so far as assembling of the parts is concerned. Furthermore, the improved article presents a neat and attractive appearance and there are no projecting corners or parts which could cause discomfort to the 'wearer of the bracelet.

In accordance with the present invention, the bracelet is constructed of a number of link sections or units, each unit comprising an outer and aninner link. Improvements are l'introduced whereby the link sections may be readily united together and positively retained in the assembled position-by self-retentive means thereby ensuring that the bracelet will not come apart when worn. The uniting ofthe sections is effected without the use of solder heretofore employed in most instances. Besides this, the means for uniting the links together are so simple of operation that even'anunskilled person may easily join the links together without the use of a tool of any kind.

The invention'will be more fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the bracelet in the form of anl endless band' or chain;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the improved bracelet shown as supporting a wrist-watch and having a fastening clasp for uniting the ends of the bracelet;

Figure 3 illustrates a pair of link sections in their relative position when the links are being united or separated; f

The link sections so con-l v Figure 4;

- Figure 6 is a cross section A,of one of the link units; o f

Figure 7 yis an enlarged planv view of three of the links united together, with part ofthe links shown in section; f t

Figure 8 is a 'detail perspective view of an outer link, and -f A i Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of an inner link. i V

Referring yto the said drawings, thebracelet 1,r in its complete form, is built up. with a number of link sections or units 2, each section being composed of i. an outer link 3 and an inner link 4. Both links are curved inwardly so that the proper curvature is given tov the bracelet when built up from these links. The outer link is composed of a blanked-out strip which is bentinto a U shape so as to 'form the hollow sides v5 with rounded corners and an integral end bar 6 which unites the'two sides. ends ofthe link are united together by an added bar 7 which is secured tothe ends of the link by tongues 8 bentinwardly and in-y serted `into holes in the bar 7 'and then the ends ofthe tongues are clinched to ensure a secure connection. The inner link is in the form of a llattenedband with the two ends brought together at 9 so as'to formy a link which is split transversely at its extreme end. The split end of the 4link vhas'prongs or projections 10 having chamfered corners and central notches 11. The opposite 'end of the inner link 4 has projections 12 and the latter with projections 1() are engaged within the `hollow sides of the outer link 3. The projections 12 serve as guides for the slidingmovement of the inner link within the outer. link and the projections 10 are engaged within the hollow lsides so that the one end of al y The free y split end of the link 4'cannot be accidentally spring is guided and held in an operative.

position during the sliding movement of the two links.

In Figure l, an endless chain or bracelet is shown and the same is produced'by uniting the end lin'k sections together.- In Figure 2, the improvements are shown as applied to a bracelet which supports a watch and in this case, it ma] be preferable to permanently unite one en link of the chain f links to the fastening means 16 at one side of the Watch. lVhen fastening thel chain tol the other side of the Watch, the open 'end ofthe end link l'wouldbeY attached and in this case, the projections lOA may be dispensed with and the split end of the link would be soldered togetherto make a `safe connection.

lit

In a great man f cases, it might answer the purpose to use tlie endless form of the bracelet which could be simply expanded by stretchingto `permit putting on or `taking off of the bracelet. In' Figure `2, afastening device is shown and this device iscomposet of a lever-like claspy 17 which is piyotallyv connected tothe inner link at one end of the chain.: 4In securing this clasp, the hooked end y18 of the lever is inserted between the inner andouter links of the link section nexty to the end'link vof the chain and over the bar `6 sothat the loop 19 of the clasp is engaged. The hooked end-[of the clasp is then'pus'hed up between the inner and outer links of the engaging section and thusthe clasp is securely fastened. 'The ressure of the Wrist of the wearer against t e lever i7 prevents the accidental opening of the clasp.

Inthe operation yof the invention, the link vsections or units, as previously stated, may

be employed to construct a chain of any desired length by uniting the linkpunits together `and when .uniting ythese links, the links are held in a position as shown in Figure 3 wherein one of the units is in an angular position relatively to the other so that one corner of the inner link at the split endis first engaged on the bar 7 of the outer link.` The V shaped notch readily engages the bar and With a little pressure', the bar 7 acts as a wedge and opens the link 4, then the link 4 may be forced into position by a snap action sothat the projections 10 will enter the grooved sides of the outer link, and when so united, the links cannot be separated by a straight pull. To open the chain, the same must be expandedv first and then by a sharp angular twisting movement, reverse ent customers, for the reason that then-dealer,l or the customer himself, may" readily take out or add links to form a Chain or bracelet of the required length or diameter.

Modifications may be', made inthe con# struction and arrangement of the improved' bracelet or chainhe'retofore described with-` out departing from the spirit of this invention and it is to be understood that any modification ycoming fairly within the terms of the appended claims shall be covered thereby. s

I claim posed of a plurality oflink sections;`e'a ch section having an outer member and an iliner member sliding within said outer meine ber; said outer member having end bars connecting the sides thereof;` said inner mem` l; An eXpansible bracelet or chain''lctnn-rv ber having one yend closed and the'other end' split,.and said split end having flanges with cut oli' corners forming proiections' adaptedv `to engage one connecting bar of the outer link with a Wedge-like effect whereby open-v ingof the inner member is effected to unite said link sections. f f c 2. A link unit for bracelets or chains; said unit being composed of an outermember and an inner member slidingfwithin said outer member 54 said outer member havinginwardly grooved sides unitedvby end bars; said inner member being closed at one end and transversely split at the other end; the latter end having l Wedge-like i projections adapted to be engaged within said grooved sides'of the outer member andto engage one of said bars to wedge open said split end of said'inner member whereby the uniting of one unit with another unit is effected.

Signed at North Attleboro, county of Bristol, State of Massachusetts, this A5th day of October, 1926;

esoneri Wsratrea. 

